batyr believes that every young person should have the opportunity to live a mentally healthy and fulfilling life. Through sharing lived experience stories and peer-to-peer education batyr is keeping young people from reaching the point of crisis, and changing lives.
Young people and their stories are at the heart of everything batyr does
batyr has now trained over 1300+ young people to safely and confidently share their personal experience with mental ill-health.
A key theme across many of these stories is the importance of meaningful connections in working towards and maintaining good mental health. These connections include those with loved ones, community, colleagues, to supports and services, connections to Country – and to yourself.
For World Mental Health Day on 10 October, batyr partnered with Mental Health Australia to share how meaningful connections have supported three batyr lived experience storytellers on the path to good mental health.
LewChing
Photo by Thorson Photography
“For me, a key part of my healing journey is being able to utilise my lived and living experiences to drive systemic reforms to allow better, more accessible supports for my communities. It has allowed me to reclaim parts of my story and find solidarity.
It has taken a long time for me to build a chosen family for myself here and to re-learn how to place my trust in others to support me through the bad days.” LewChing
Nic
Photo by Lisa Clarke
“Each day, I realise and acknowledge just how important self-care is, and ensure that it is prioritised. It is just as important to look after yourself as it is to acknowledge honestly how you are feeling. Having self-compassion is about checking in with ourselves regularly, recognising the signs when our mental health might be declining, and being proactive about utilising the strategies and tools to help. For me, my self-care journey has been about discovering what works for me. When I was in a really negative headspace, the number one thing people said to do was to exercise. But I’m too precious to do cardio, it’s the devil.
My experiences have made me more resilient, and have led me to encourage others to get help, prioritise self-care, and nurture meaningful connections in their life.” Nic
Mackenzie
Photo by Lisa Clarke
“It all started with a doctor’s appointment. Although I danced around the subject for most of the appointment, I eventually found the bravery I needed to say the words I had refused to say out loud up until that point.
My advice to anyone who is struggling is this: I know you may feel alone as you float in your own void, but you are not. And you don’t have to be alone. You are not a burden, nor are you a disappointment. You deserve care. You deserve joy. Make an appointment with your doctor and do the thing that scares you the most; ask for help. You can do hard things.
Recovery isn’t linear but I can promise you one thing; there is not a single person who has recovered from their mental illness who regrets doing so.” Mackenzie
Third Link has proudly supported batyr with its vital work since 2012. If you would like to discuss how you could support batyr, contact Lucy Steggles on lucy@batyr.com.au
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis and is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, call 000. You can find a comprehensive list of mental health support services here.
(Read these stories in full on the batyr website.)
